Prime Minister and President of the MDC Morgan Tsvangirai is expected to hold a rally for his supporters in Mutare next weekend, but his party claims soldiers have been pulling down posters publicising the event. (Pictured: Some of the MDC Posters which were removed by Soldiers in Mutare)A statement by the party said posters pasted by the MDC Manicaland provincial leadership in Sakubva Township were torn down by armed soldiers who were moving around in an army T35 Mazda truck on Wednesday.
The MDC President is expected to give a keynote address at Manicalands MDC 10th anniversary celebratory provincial rally at Sakubva Stadium on August the 16th.
The soldiers said they were removing the posters in preparation of the Heroes Day and Defence Forces commemorations to be held at the same venue next week, and were working according to instructions from above, said the MDC statement.
Despite forming a power sharing government with ZANU PF in February, the MDC says politically motivated violence and victimisation is still continuing, especially in the rural areas. The party said, in Mutasa Central soldiers based at Vhumbunu Primary School in Mutasa Central are harassing and torturing innocent villagers.
It is reported teachers are being forced to share accommodation at the school with a group of about 20 soldiers. This has caused serious problems especially as the soldiers move around with the rowdy youth militia.
Some of the teachers have since fled from the school in fear of being victimised or tortured by the soldiers and ZANU PF militia, stated the MDC statement.